Our Lady Help of Christians

About the Parish

Our Lady Help of Christians is a Roman Catholic parish in the Nonantum (Newton Corner) village of Newton, Massachusetts, in the Archdiocese of Boston. Founded in 1872 originally as St. Brendan's to serve the Irish Catholic population of the Newton 'Lake' district, it became an independent parish under its Marian title in 1878. Today it is partnered with Sacred Heart Parish in Newton Centre as the Sacred Heart & Our Lady Help of Christians Collaborative, sharing one pastor (Fr. Daniel J. Riley), staff, ministries, and a livestreamed Sunday liturgy.

History of Our Lady Help of Christians

Founded in 1872 by Rev. Michael M. Green with the support of Bishop John J. Williams to serve Irish Catholic families settling in Newton after the Great Famine. Volunteer parishioners dug the foundation from local fieldstones; the cornerstone was laid on August 31, 1873, and the first Mass was celebrated in the basement on November 1, 1874. The completed Gothic Revival church was dedicated by Bishop James A. Healey on May 8, 1881. A major renovation in 1900 reinforced the walls and added the three-Gothic-porch façade. The 1880s rectory, 1893 convent, and 1924 Trinity Catholic High School complete the historic complex.

• 1872 — congregation established as St. Brendan's
• 1873 (Aug 31) — cornerstone laid
• 1874 (Nov 1) — first Mass in basement
• 1878 (Aug 1) — parish becomes independent from St. Patrick (Watertown); renamed Our Lady Help of Christians
• 1881 (May 8) — church dedicated by Bishop James A. Healey
• 1885 — Rev. Green dies; parish exceeds 4,000 members
• 1880s — rectory built (Murphy design)
• 1890 — first convent built
• 1893 — present Colonial Revival convent built
• 1892–93 — three-story elementary school built (demolished 1960)
• 1900 — major church renovation; façade and three Gothic porches added
• 1924 — Newton Catholic High School (later Trinity Catholic High School) built
• 1986 — Our Lady Help of Christians Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• 2012 — Trinity Catholic High School closes; building now used by a secular private school

Architecture and the Historic District

The parish complex is one of New England's best-preserved Gothic Revival Catholic campuses. The church, rectory, convent, and 1924 high school are unified by brick construction and Gothic stylistic elements, and were collectively listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The 197-foot steeple is the tallest in the City of Newton.

• Architect: James Murphy of Providence (leading ecclesiastical architect of the era)
• Style: Brick Gothic Revival
• Church: cornerstone 1873, basement Mass 1874, dedicated 1881, renovated 1900
• Steeple height: 197 feet (tallest in Newton)
• Rectory: 1880s, Murphy design
• Convent: present Colonial Revival structure built 1893
• Trinity Catholic High School: 1924 Gothic Revival

Sacraments

The parish celebrates all seven sacraments and offers ongoing preparation programs for children, youth, and adults.

• Infant Baptism (under age 7) — celebrated at Mass or in group celebrations; preparation program required. Contact: Maria Rosen
• Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception for adults — contact Ginny Arpino
• First Holy Communion — preparation through Faith Formation
• Confirmation (high school) — contact Kristina Preman, DRE
• Marriage — preparation and celebration
• Anointing of the Sick — on request through the parish office
• Reconciliation — Saturdays 2:45–3:30 PM

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Religious education is offered for children in Grades K–10 in the collaborative, coordinated through the parish office at Our Lady's.

• Kristina Preman — Senior Pastoral Associate and Director of Religious Education (Grades K–5)
• Leslee Ambrosio — Coordinator of Religious Education, Grades 6–10
• RCIA and adult faith formation through Ginny Arpino
• High School Confirmation preparation through Kristina Preman

Youth Ministry

A collaborative youth ministry program supports middle-school and high-school youth with faith formation, retreats, service, and community-building opportunities. Contact: Jared Blake, Youth Minister ([email protected], ext. 126).

• Youth Minister: Jared Blake
• Faith formation for Grades 6–10 coordinated by Leslee Ambrosio
• High School Confirmation preparation

Music & Liturgy

Liturgical music at Our Lady's is led by Director of Music Anne Marie David. The collaborative also staffs Erica Johnson as Liturgy & Music Director for Sacred Heart. Parish choirs and music ministry enrich the weekend and holy day liturgies.

• Anne Marie David — Music Director (Our Lady's)
• Erica Johnson — Liturgy & Music Director (Sacred Heart)
• Parish choirs and instrumentalists

Pastoral Care & Outreach

The collaborative maintains a robust pastoral care team for the sick, homebound, bereaved, and those in material need, and a parish chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

• Ginny Arpino — Coordinator of Pastoral Care (ext. 221)
• Maria Rosen — Pastoral Minister (ext. 219)
• Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conference — [email protected] or 617-527-7560 ext. 255
• Anointing of the Sick, viaticum, and visits to hospitals and homes on request

Collaborative Staff

Our Lady Help of Christians shares pastoral and administrative staff with Sacred Heart Parish as part of the Sacred Heart & Our Lady Help of Christians Collaborative.

• Fr. Dan Riley — Pastor ([email protected], ext. 229)
• Kristina Preman — Senior Pastoral Associate & DRE ([email protected], ext. 216)
• Leslee Ambrosio — Coordinator of Religious Education, Grades 6–10 ([email protected], ext. 213)
• Ginny Arpino — Coordinator of Pastoral Care ([email protected], ext. 221)
• Jared Blake — Youth Minister ([email protected], ext. 126)
• Anne Marie David — Music Director, Our Lady's ([email protected], ext. 227)
• Erica Johnson — Liturgy & Music Director, Sacred Heart ([email protected], ext. 120)
• Deacon Bill Koffel — Deacon ([email protected])
• Maria Rosen — Pastoral Minister ([email protected], ext. 219)
• Michael Bliss — Finance & Operations ([email protected], ext. 226)
• Ed Desmond — Administrative Assistant, Our Lady's ([email protected], ext. 250)
• Gerry McGrath — Facilities, Our Lady's ([email protected])
• Sioux Mont — Administrative Assistant, Sacred Heart ([email protected], ext. 110)
• David Nahabedian — Facilities, Sacred Heart ([email protected], ext. 127)

Clergy Assisting with Liturgies

In addition to the pastor, several priests regularly assist at the collaborative's liturgies.

• Rev. Kevin Deeley
• Rev. Isaac Demase, S.J.
• Rev. John Geaney, C.S.P. (Paulist Father)
• Rev. Bart Geger, S.J.
• Rev. Michael Mohr, S.J.
• Rev. Frank Silva

Visiting & Practical Information

The parish office at 573 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458 is open Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM. The collaborative livestreams its 9:30 AM Sunday Mass from Sacred Heart on sholnewton.org. Listening devices for the hearing impaired are available at each church — ask a staff member or Mass volunteer.

• Address: 573 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458-1494
• Phone: 617-527-7560
• Email: [email protected]
• Office hours: Mon–Fri, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
• Livestreamed Sunday Mass at sholnewton.org